Laceration of axillary artery, unspecified side, init encntr

This code signifies a tear or cut in the axillary artery, the major blood vessel supplying the arm, where the specific side (left or right) of the injury is not documented. This type of injury can lead to significant bleeding and compromise blood flow to the upper extremity.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a laceration of the axillary artery, but the medical record does not specify whether the injury occurred on the left or right side. This is appropriate for the initial treatment of such an injury, typically in an emergency department or acute care setting.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "laceration" and not another type of injury (e.g., contusion, puncture).
• Only use this code when the laterality (left/right) is truly unspecified; if laterality is known, a more specific code should be chosen.
• The "A" suffix indicates an initial encounter for active treatment of the injury.